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Original poster

Are private school fees really likely to increase by 7-10% a year?

136 replies

Ani57 · 12/08/2022 21:28

We are trying to put a financial plan in place and have been looking into the possibility of private schooling for secondary school. Our kids are only 4 and 2 right now but I read recently that you should expect a 7-10% increase a year. The fees are currently £21k a year for secondary which would mean £300k for both kids. However with a 7% increase per year, this would be £600k for 2 kids by the time my children go! Is there anyone with children finishing school that can confirm whether this is true or not?

OP posts:
TeenDivided · 13/08/2022 08:14

In the current climate I think 10% could be on the low side.

Why not save the funds now and make a decision much nearer the time based on the needs of your children and the quality of local state schools?
Top up tutoring costs way less than private education, and not all independent schools are equal.

MarshaBradyo · 13/08/2022 08:05

Tough decision but I’m pretty sure either way it’ll work out

State and using money or private all way through

Fees have gone up that much but probably Covid related too. They could match inflation though in next few years, hard to know

mdh2020 · 13/08/2022 08:03

DS was at private school from yr 7 many years ago and the fees almost doubled in 7 years. In fact they went up by 1/3 between registering for the exam and paying the first term’s fees. We had to make sacrifices but it was worth every penny. DD attended a state grammar school and we paid for her MA at the other end. (We put both through uni). It depends where you live and what the state schools are like. Fortunately we had good state Primary schools but it was the HT who told us to send DS privately if we could.

NeedAHoliday2021 · 13/08/2022 07:54

We decided to go state school and have independent as a back up option, using the money we would have spent on experiences such as travel. When dd1 started secondary I thought we’d try it then move her for the start of year 9… she’s about to go into year 10 and is thriving in state school, predicted 8s across the board. It was the right decision for her. Next step will be her younger sisters starting.

Thejugglestruggle · 13/08/2022 07:46

I guess it depends on the state school primaries around you too.
We've decided to go for the lovely state primary school round the corner from us and start saving what we would've paid for a prep school for another day for them. We hope to send them privately at secondary school.

SamPoodle123 · 13/08/2022 07:43

I would consider waiting until secondary for private education and supporting your dc along the way while in state school if you feel it is needed. If you live near a good state school, then save the money during the primary years.

Feetache · 12/08/2022 22:56

OP you have done really well & earn way more than I ever will. You can afford private but yes it will go up up and up. Only you can decide if you think private is really worth it

Original poster
Ani57 · 12/08/2022 22:37

I am stunned by it too. My husband and I have both come from working class backgrounds and private schooling or in fact any help at all through university or early career years just wasn’t an option. We have recently moved to a nice area in Surrey and cannot believe the wealth around us. And also the number of people my age who still rely on their parents to fund their lives ie. help with schooling costs etc! We are both in our late 30’s now and are in a really healthy financial position. We earn approx. £250k between us (I work part time) and my husband has a good final salary pension. I am more inclined to say we save some of the money to help our kids through Uni and with buying a house and then use the rest to enjoy life as a family - great holidays and days out etc! But obviously I want the best for my kids so we are also costing up private schooling to see if it would be doable.

OP posts:
SWL2022 · 12/08/2022 22:02

Received school bill at end of term last month, and for a top school w the usual 3% increase per annum, was shocked at the 7.65% increase for coming year. Bear in mind, with inflation as it stands, it’s only going to rise by the time your children are ready. Am stunned how people in the country can imagine having so many children and then sending to private schools. It is a huge investment as have come to realise, and we are only at the start of secondary, though privately educated throughout the children’s education. Good luck on whatever you decide.

Delphigirl · 12/08/2022 21:33

Not all four at once obviously. Well only for about 5 years of it.

Delphigirl · 12/08/2022 21:32

Well I’ve had four kids at private school for the last 20 years (2 years to go, sigh) ie during decades of historically low inflation and I struggle to think of a less than 3% increase in fees each year. This year was 6%. Given where we are going with inflation I think you would be wrong to assume it would be any less.